What really happens when a literary agent becomes an author?

In this episode of Bookbound, Fran Hauser and Bethany Saltman sit down with Kate McKean, literary agent, Substack writer, and author of Write Through It, to talk about the long road from aspiring novelist to publishing her first nonfiction book.

Kate opens up about the seven years it took to land her book deal, what she’s learned from failed projects, and why persistence often matters more than perfection. She shares the insider truths about query letters, proposals, and finding an agent, while also revealing how her newsletter, Agents and Books, helped her discover the audience she was meant to serve. Along the way, Kate offers advice on editing smarter, managing expectations, and keeping your passion alive in the often slow and messy process of publishing.

Resources:

Connect with Kate on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katemckean/
Connect with Kate on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kate_mckean/

Follow Kate on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/katemckean.bsky.social

Check out Kate’s website: https://www.katemckean.com/

Subscribe to Kate’s newsletter Agents and Books: https://www.agentsandbooks.com/

Check out Kate’s book Write Through It: An Insider's Guide to Publishing and the Creative Life: https://bookshop.org/p/books/write-through-it-an-insider-s-guide-to-publishing-and-the-creative-life-kate-mckean/21872839

Check out Publisher’s Marketplace: https://www.publishersmarketplace.com
Join Bethany & Fran for their Read Like a Writer Book Club here: https://www.bookboundpodcast.com/club
Download Bethany & Fran's e-book on how to craft a standout book proposal here: https://www.bookboundpodcast.com/e-book

Produced by Share Your Genius: https://shareyourgenius.com/

• (00:00) - BB-Video-Kate McKean-V2
• (00:00) - Introduction to the Book Bound Podcast
• (01:13) - Meet Kate McKean: Literary Agent and Author
• (02:25) - Kate's Journey to Becoming an Author
• (04:09) - The Writing Process: Fiction vs. Nonfiction
• (07:17) - Finding the Right Literary Agent
• (17:32) - The Importance of a Book Proposal
• (18:19) - The Importance of a Strong Ending in Fiction
• (19:05) - From Proposal to Manuscript: The Writing Journey
• (21:08) - Editing and Revising: Key Strategies
• (22:53) - Marketing the Book: Strategies and Experiences
• (24:23) - Substack: A Platform for Writers
• (29:00) - Advice for Aspiring Authors
• (31:29) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts